Dr. Robert Frank Roth

Bob saw his life as a "continual series of God's blessings." They began in a loving Whitestone family in Queens, New York with his mother, Eva and father, Frank, as well as his older sister, Dorothy. At 16, he received God's miraculous healing from a severe illness and made a covenant with God to become a doctor and serve wherever God directed. More blessings followed: full scholarship and honors at Bayside High School ('47), Oberlin College ('51), Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons with residency at St. Luke's Medical Center ('60), certification in general surgery ('61) and marriage to Paulene Hadaway of Greenville, South Carolina ('52).

Bob and Paulene's first calling was to post-war South Korea where he served as a medical/surgical missionary ('61-72). Patients and staff at Wonju Union Christian Hospital inspired him with life-actions reflective of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Also, as the Holt Adoption Agency doctor, he surgically prepared (if necessary) and escorted children to adoptive parents in the U.S. and Europe. As a surgeon for the "Leper Village", he reconstructed deformities. While in Korea, Bob and Paulene adopted two additional blessings: Thomas Franklin, "Tom" ('62) and Laura Ann "Lauran" ('67), who brightened their family life! The family returned to the U.S. ('72) where he served as a resident at UNC Medical Center (‘72-‘73) and received his plastic surgery certification ('75). In 1973, God led them to Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem, Virginia. Sadly, Paulene passed away from cancer ('74). God again blessed the Roth family with Bob's marriage to a Korean missionary friend, Dorothy Hubbard ('75) from Forest, Mississippi. She adopted both Tom and Lauran. Yet another blessing was added to their family when they adopted Joy Kimberly "Joy" ('78).

"Dr. Bob" served at Lewis-Gale Hospital, Bradley Free Clinic and three other local hospitals in Roanoke and Salem, Virginia. He was known by family, patients and staff for his compassion, humility, surgical artistry, and sense of humor. He was also the co-founder of "Sister Cities" ('64) between Roanoke and Wonju, S. Korea, with Dr. Kim and the Poffs. It became "Roanoke Valley Sister Cities" with David Lisk joining the group. Six more cities were added: Kisumu, Kenya ('76); Pskov, Russia ('93), Florianopolis, Brazil ('95), Opole, Poland ('95), Lijang, China ('96) and St. Lo, France ('98).

Bob retired in '95 and helped to build and manage, "Peace Pagodas on the Lake" (1996-2015). This was their home, which they used as a private retreat center for workshops and prayer retreats to foster peace whether personal, local or worldwide. Sister City guests from the seven countries as well as other precious guests were welcomed there.

"Dr. Bob" is survived by his living blessings: wife, Dorothy H. Roth and three children: Thomas F. Roth of Las Vegas, NV (Isabel); daughter, Lauran Roth Glover of Hampton (Sloan), and daughter, Joy Kimberly Gebhardt of Richmond, Va. (Jon); three grandchildren: Jason Charles Roth of Fredericksburg, Va (Melanie); Richard Keith Roth of Suffolk, Va (Lisa); and Grace Elizabeth Glover of Hampton, VA; six great-grandchildren: Briana, Liam, Devin and Mirabella Roth of Fredericksburg, and Andrea and Lilli Roth of Suffolk, Va.

Bob wanted to teach and serve even after his earthly life by donating his body to the Virginia Anatomical Society. Bob was asked once, "What will be your life epitaph?" After thought, he stated "Grateful recipient of God's Grace!" Bob's favorite Bible passage was Matthew 7:7-11, which emphasized God's multitude of gifts to him.

Memorial services will be held at Wellspring United Methodist Church, 4871 Longhill Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188 on Saturday May 22, 2021 at 11:00 am.

More information about Dr. Roth may be read in an article published by the Roanoke Times at the link below:

https://roanoke.com/news/local/robert-roth-surgeon-missionary-co-founder-of-roanoke-valley-sister-cities-dies-at-91/article_a723c74c-b691-11eb-a0b5-8f886ced8c36.html